Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

JANE

I was not.

GRACE

Then you didn't think of opening

your door and looking out?

Jane is infuriated. She turns on her heel.

INT. EVENING. THORNFIELD - MRS FAIRFAX'S PARLOUR.

Jane walks in. Their meal is laid out.

JANE

Has Mr Rochester not sent for us

today?

MRS FAIRFAX

Why, he's gone away. Were you not

aware? He left after breakfast.

Jane takes this piece of news like an invisible shock.

MRS FAIRFAX (CONT'D)

He's gone to The Leas, Mr

Eshton's place, about ten miles

from here. I believe Blanche

Ingram is there. She's a great

favourite of his.

JANE

Oh?

MRS FAIRFAX

I saw her two years ago when Mr

Rochester had a party here. Oh,

she was a beauty; I daresay the

most elegant girl I've ever seen.

So tall, with raven hair cascading

down her back; I don't know how

she'd had it done. She sang a duet

with Mr Rochester. They made a

lovely harmony.

(MORE)

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 58.